Tragic loss

My thoughts and condolences are with friends and family of the two pilots lost at the Reno air races on Sunday when two T-6 Texans collided as they were coming in to land. Press release: The Reno Air Racing Association is heartbroken to announce that around 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, two members of our racing family, Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, passed away in a landing accident. Both expertly skilled pilots and Gold winners in the T-6 Class, Macy piloted Six-Cat and Rushing flew Baron’s Revenge. Families of both pilots have been notified and support services are onsite as they deal with this tragedy. There were no civilian casualties and RARA is doing everything we can to support the families and friends of the involved pilots.

Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection

Whilst I was at Duxford my good mate Gaz was over in Oslo at this museum. If Facebook is your thing Check the Military Wings a look around hangar doors link on the right for his reviews of the exhibits. Also on his other FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/493289857536250/?ref=share

Grumpy returns?

This B25 used to be part of TFC and seen regularly at Duxford. However it was sold several years ago to new owners in America. Very recently though it was sold again to new owners in Europe so hopefully there is a chance that it will show up in the UK once more at some point.

'Coming home'

This P51 Mustang that I saw at HARS and then at the Temora Warbirds Down Under show back in 2018 has just been sold and has reportedly found a new owner based in the UK so hopefully I'll get to see it again sometime.

Polar Helicopters

Polar Helicopters are based at Manston and offer flight training and pleasure flights amongst other services. They had an open day on Sunday and we popped along for a little look see. Could have bought a helicopter but didn't quite have the funds! The red helicopter G-SUEY we have flown in as it was used for our fly with a Spitfire experience some years ago.

Phantom ZE360

I was able to get a bit closer to Phantom ZE360 at the weekend. It is the last complete F4-J and is being worked on at Manston by the British Phantom Aviation Group in readiness for a move to their base at Cotswold Airport.

Return of Fighter Meet

Many years ago there used to be a good airshow at North Weald that went by the name of 'Fighter Meet' and I went a few times back in the early 90's. The content was good and North Weald is only an hour and 15 minutes from me but it went by the way and the slot was effectively filled by Flying Legennds at Duxford. As noted earlier, Legends is mean to be returning this year and a good friend has pointed out today that Fighter Meet will also be returning. Given that Legends, assuming that it does happen, is a very long drive I shall be keeping tabs on Fighter Meet as it sounds quite promising.

Flying Legends returns

An announcement today confirms that the Flying Legends air show will be returning this year over the weekend of 15/16 July. Good that they have found a venue after a short hiatus but as the venue is Church Fenton, better known as Leeds East airport, it will need something really special on offer before I even look in to any options for trekking that far north. 

One for us?

A few years ago I went to Virginia Beach especially to see this airworthy Mosquito. Others now also fly but they are all overseas. However the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar today announced an agreement for a Mosquito to be built by Avspecs in New Zealand that will join their collection and should be flying in the UK by 2026. Fingers crossed! 

New for Midlands Air Museum

In another move from Cosford this Auster has gone to the Midlands Air Museum which I visited for the first time last summer. Midlands Air Museum report here and this is the Auster in its old Cosford home.

Back soon

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Dakota 'Cannucks Unlimited' has been off line of late awaiting refurbished engines. These are now in the process of being fitted and the Dak should be back in the air next year.

Seen here at Hamilton back in 2012 when we visited for the air show.